Ignition system fob internal com



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IGNITION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Nov. 14, 1940 FIG. 1.

' Patented Oct. 6, 1942 IGNITION SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COM- I BUSTION ENGINES Edgar M. Major, New York, N. Y.

Application November 14, 1940, Serial No. 365,718

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition systems for internal combustion engines.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved ignition system for internal combustion engines, which is relatively simple in construction; automatic in operation, economical, and which will do away with the complicated features of present day internal combustion engine ignition systems using such features as timing gear, spark plugs, distributors, etc.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved ignition system which will automatically supply a spark to the compressed combustion charge immediately after crank shaft throw of the piston has passed dead center; the construction being such that premature firing is impossible.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar refer ence characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a cross section taken through the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, showing the association of my improved electrodes during the compression stroke in the cylinder.

Figure 2 is the view similar to that shown in Figure 1, but with the electrodes in sparking relation immediately after the throw of the piston has passed top dead center. i

Figure 3 is a plan view of my improved piston electrode.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the firingpin of the cylinder attached and piston attached electrodes F and K disposed in a wiring circuit L which includes the usual transformer coil M having primary and secondary windings as shown in Figure 5 of the drawing; the continuous vibrating primary circuit having disposed therein a battery N and vibrator T.

In addition to simplicity and economy of operation, doing away with suchcomplicated features of conventional ignition systems as spark plugs, timing gear, distributors, etc., the improved electrode arrangement in the cylinder and upon the piston is of such nature that the spark for the combustion charge will fire the charge at precisely the right moment; immediately after the throw of the piston has passed top dead center. This is accomplished because the electrode upon the piston is normally positioned in a nonsparking relation with respect to the other electrode, but due to its inertia as the piston passes top-dead center, the firing pin thereof will move into sparking relation with respect to the stationary electrode, for firing thev compressed charge.

The stationary electrode F preferably includes with, for receiving a wrench in order to adjust the stationary electrode in proper position in the top of the cylinder block. The stationary electrode pin I2 is of course provided with wire clamping nuts 25 thereon, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. The plug or shell H! can be adjusted so as to position the firing point of the stationary electrode pin l2 at about the center of the compression compartment in the s top of the cylinder, as shown in FigureZ of the.

drawing.

Referring to the pistoncarried electrode K, tho same includes a cup shapedsupport 30, preferably of metal, which is provided with an externally screw threaded portion 3| on the upper end thereof, adapted to, detachably fit in a screw threaded socket 32 provided inthe top wall 3i of the piston C, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing. The cup shaped support 30 provides acompartment '31 which, opens upwardly, and at the top it is provided with a'nut'fiange 3B,

adapted to receive a wrench or other tool in order to apply the cup shapd support 30 in position.

The compartment 31 of this support 30 receives a I slidable electrode member 40, consisting of a head or disc 42 which fits in the compartment 31 for sliding, and an upwardly extending axial firing trated. I

Various changes may be made inthelform of invention herein shown and described, without pin portion 43, which is pointed for sparking cooperation with pin it above described.

position upon the piston with respect to a comv panion electrode.

The support I! is internally provided with a electrode slides back and forth in the cup Ilh Similarly, the closure 52 is provided with ports -ll sothat air may exhaust from the compartment 31 as the firing pinor electrode ill moves up-. wardly, due to its momentum, after the piston throw has passed dead center.

The operation of the ignition system-will be apparent from-'the foregoing. Normally, the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 1. By

gravity, the movable piston supported electrode ll of this disc portion 42 rests on the-bottom wall of the cup shaped shell 30, and,the point end of the firing pin is in a non-sparking relation with respect to the stationary firing pin l2.

As the piston moves upwardly to compresszthe firing charge in the cylinder'the movable elec- "8. In an ignition system for internal combustion engines the combination of a cylinder, a stationary electrode supported by the cylinder, a piston,- a crank shaft having a throw, a connecting rod connecting thethrow with the piston, and

amovable electrode freely movably supported upon the piston and. adapted by gravity normally to assume a non-sparking position with respect to the stationary cylinder supported electrode until the throw of the piston has passed top dead center when due to momentum the movable piston supported electrode will move into sparking relation with the stationary electrode.

4. Man article of manufacture an electrode for internal combustion engines comprising a supporting receptacle having a compartment therein, and a movable electrode having a' sparking point exterio'rly of the receptacle and a portion in the receptacle freely slidable back and forth withoutrestraint in either direction.

' 5. An ignition system for internal combustion engines comprising a cylinder supported stationary electrode insulated from the cylinder, a piston supported'electrode in movable electrical controde 43 will retain the position shownfin Fisure 1 until the throw of the piston Chasireached top dead center. At this timefdue ltd-inertia,

the movable electrode III. will continueits movement while the piston S starts to descendpand the firing pins will be brought into sparkingre lation and thus explode the compressed charge.

ducting relation with the piston and by gravity normally positioned in an inoperative sparking relation with respect to the stationary electrode,

said movable electrode on the piston being freely slidable so that as the throw of the piston passes top dead center the said movable electrode due v 'to its momentum will move into sparking relation with respectto the stationary electrode of The opening l3 in the cylinder top'is'of such- 1 size that thepiston supported electrode canbe.

removed or adjusted through said opening.

volving engines as well as to the type ofen'gi'ne herein illustrated and described. a The dynamics of these engines are such-that my ignition 'ys tem will operate properly, although gravity ces not play the part in controlling the position of;

departing from the spirit of the invention or'the scope of the following claims. 1-. I

I claim:

wee-

fthreaded portion thereon, a removable cover for l. Anel'ectrical'ign'ition device for'internal' the receptacle ham bustion engines comprising a stationary cylinder supported electrode insulated therewithiand'a 55.

movable piston supported electrode scrniountedi that it will be brought into' sparking relatiorrfwith respect to stationary cylinder supported electrode- 3 only after the piston throw hasIpassed-top deadcenter. 7

25m an electrode arrangement *forl' internal "combustion engines ignition systems the comm-1 nation of a piston, and anelectrode freely 'movf able uponthe piston and so positioned thatb'y gravity it will normally assumefa ns w g g;

the cylinder.

' 6. In an electrode for internal combustion engines the combination of a cup shaped receptacle Y Y c n v ri My invention is applicable to radial and re-v of o ducti e mate having an external screw threaded portion thereon, a removable cover for the compartment of the receptacle having air passage ducts therethrough, and a firing electrode including a disc portion in the cup shaped receptacle and a pin portion slidable through said cover, said disc portion of the electrode having ports therein to equalize pressure at each side thereof as it moves back and forth within the cup shaped receptacle. 1

(I. In an electrode for internal combustion engines the combination of a cup shaped receptacle of conductive material having an external screw passage. ducts therethrough, and a firing electrode including; a disc portion in the cup shaped receptacle and, "a pin portion slidable through said cover, said discportion of the electrode having ports therein toequalize pressure at each side thereof as it moves back and forth within the shame back and mu; within said receptacle I -'without any positive urge in either direction except through gravity.

EDGAR M. MAJOR. 

